While there are some who believe Melaleuca is a weed, they are both right and wrong. Melaleuca Alternifolia, as found in Australia, is a tree. Melaleuca Quinquenervia, as found in Florida, is a noxious weed. They are easily distinguishable. Melaleuca tree = Alternifolia. Melaleuca weed = Quinquenervia.

The Melaleuca tree, similar to the way the bark on a Quaking Aspen tree peels away, has a bark that looks like it is always falling apart. The bark peels in thick layers and is rather soft.See the following picture of Melaleuca Bark:

Fact: Melaleuca Alternifolia grows in Australia."The native habitat of [Melaleuca] alternifolia is a small area of north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. However, [Melaleuca] alternifolia has been cultivated successfully in other parts of New South Wales, in other states of Australia such as Queensland and Western Australia and in other countries." http://www.attia.org.au/teatree_about_faq.php#009

They say that Melaleuca Alternifolia grows in other countries, but I am still doing more research on that.

According to ForestLearning.edu.au, "Melaleuca forest makes up only 5% of Australia’s forest area." That is still a lot of trees. 5% may not seem like much. 5% of a 10 ounce glass of water is just a small swig of water, but 5% of an ocean is larger than many of the countries in the world!

The site goes on to say: "it is the third most extensive forest type after eucalypts and acacia."

If you Google Melaleuca, you will find that everyone calls Melaleuca the tea tree. That makes it a fact, right? Just kidding, just because it is online, and used frequently, that doesn't make it a fact.

But I have found that if more than 10 sources call it that online it is almost always accurate.

Ask anyone in Australia: A Melaleuca tree is a tea tree, and tea tree is SO much easier to say than Melaleuca! ;-)

Melaleuca Man-Jim Jonders

Okay. Okay. Okay! So Jim Jonders isn't my real name, but I am not here to build a big fan base and become famous, so it is my alias. I just want to share the facts about a tree I love. The tea tree, scientifically known as Melaleuca Alternifolia.